Take steps to protect your business

Security steps to protect your business

Burglary, criminal damage and vandalism are the crimes most likely to be reported to police by owners of small businesses.

There is no magic solution to preventing these crimes but firms that identify the risks and take measures to improve security are far less likely to suffer the consequences.

Businesses that take the time and trouble to assess the risks and put the proper security measures in place will not only save time and money but will also provide a safer and more secure environment for their staff and customers.

Here are some of the measures you can take to improve security in your business and mitigate the impact of any criminal activity or unwanted intruders on your business or commercial premises.

1. Identify the biggest risk factors

A quick survey of your business premises will help highlight the strengths and weaknesses of your current security systems. Pay particular attention to entry points and check on the level of access control for staff, vehicles and goods.

An inspection of the premises for all possible break-in points will quickly highlight any windows, doors, shutters and fences that need immediate attention. And you should not only consider how easy it is for a burglar to break into the property but also how easy it would be for a thief to get away with any stolen goods.

Make an assessment too of how quickly the response will be should an alarm be raised, how long it might take for someone to arrive on the premises and what procedures, if any, are in place if a break-in were to be discovered.

Check out too what local crime prevention measures are already in operation in your local area, if your business is located a high crime area, whether there are regular police patrols, if there a local Crimewatch initiative and what self-help schemes are available.

2. Draw up a business security plan

Business security needs to be coordinated and coherent with an integrated strategy and responsible delivery so it makes sense to put security matters for your company in the hands of a single person.

Even if your business security is contracted out, or has a team to implement a security policy, the strategic decision making and overall monitoring of services should be carried out by one individual.

When drawing up a security plan for your business premises it is vital to include regular reviews both to implement updates and to ensure compliance.

Whatever business security system you choose to adopt there are some basic measures you can take to help keep commercial premises safe from thieves.

Insurance companies often insist on minimum standards for locks to doors and windows so regular checks on these should already be part of your protocols.

Not only should all windows, doors and other possible entry points be kept fully maintained and repaired but they should also be strengthened wherever possible.

Lighting is a major factor when improving security measures in business premises and all potential entry points to the building should be well lit, especially in those isolated areas that don't see much human traffic.

Some measures may seem trivial but they can have a big impact on business security.

Door keys, for example, can be labelled with codes that staff can understand but will confuse potential intruders if they get hold of them.Prickly bushes planted beneath windows and walls can act as a deterrent to would-be burglars.Locking just a few internal doors at night can be enough to deter thieves from ransacking the whole premises.Installing extra internal dummy CCTV cameras can also act as a deterrent (although these should never be a substitute for the real thing.)

4. Install a proper security system

Premises with burglar alarms installed are far less likely to suffer attacks by intruders, according to crime statistics. Intruder alarms and CCTV cameras can act as a powerful deterrent.

Most commercial alarm systems these days are wireless installations, making them easier to install and to maintain. Wireless burglar alarm systems are also easier to expand and update.

It is vital that any alarm system is reliable so make sure the system complies with British Standard regulations and that the installer is registered with the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) and cleared by your insurers.

Your local Police Force may have a policy of limited response to commercial buildings that have a history of false alarms so test your alarm system regularly and ensure the system is well maintained by an NSI-approved security company such as Crown Securities (UK).

CCTV is now widely used to protect commercial premises against unwanted intruders and a cost-effective solution for remote sites or those with buildings that are visited rarely or sparsely staffed.

With CCTV, many areas can be monitored from a central point but you must ensure security cameras are properly calibrated to capture the best images and that areas under surveillance are well lit.

CCTV monitoring can be used to call security guards using both visual and audio verification and, of course, captured CCTV images and audio files can also be used in police investigations and in any prosecutions that might follow a break-in.

Take note though that you may also need a policy of alerting staff to CCTV use on your business premises and of deleting old images to comply with the Data Protection Act and other legal safeguards against invasion of privacy.

5. Prepare for the worst

It is not enough to have a comprehensive security alarm system installed, serviced and maintained. Although burglar alarms and CCTV cameras will reduce the risk dramatically the chances of crime on you premises do not drop to zero.

The wise business owner or operator will anticipate the worst case scenario and put in place a plan to mitigate any losses should a break-in occur and get back to business as quickly as possible.

It will help to keep a detailed inventory of assets and keep it as up to date as possible so that not only will police have an accurate record of what has been taken but you will know what stock needs replacing.

Recovery plans should cover as many situations as possible and take into account the fact that businesses are most at risk immediately after a theft or break-in. Burglars will know not only that your premises may be in disarray, but will also have a detailed knowledge of the layout of your premises, figure out that you are likely to replace stolen good with new equipment and may not have had time to upgrade security systems.

In the event of a break-in, you should involve the police and your insurers as quickly as possible and when upgrading security in your business premises be sure to tell your insurers as a new alarm system could affect your premiums. Many problematic insurance claims can be traced back to failing to keep insurers in the loop.

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